TAMPA, Fla. – The 2026 All-Sun Conference Softball Specialty Award winners were announced Wednesday evening following a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Raylei McKinney of Southeastern has been named the 2026 Sun Conference Softball Player of the Year. McKinney led The Sun Conference in batting average (.496), slugging percentage (.916), on-base percentage (.542), doubles (16), home runs (13), extra-base hits (29), and RBI (57). She also added 22 stolen bases on the season, ranking fifth in the conference. On the national stage, McKinney ranks fifth in the NAIA in batting average and sixth in slugging percentage, solidifying her as one of the top hitters in the country.
Maria “Fia” Zelenka of Southeastern has been named the 2026 Sun Conference Softball Pitcher of the Year. Zelenka has been dominant in the circle this season, posting a 0.58 ERA with a 16-2 overall record and two saves. She recorded multiple wins against nationally ranked programs, including victories over OLLU, William Carey, Grandview, and Campbellsville. Zelenka has thrown eight shutouts on the year and has allowed just 13 runs all season, including only nine in conference play, while averaging over nine strikeouts per game.
She currently ranks No. 2 in the NAIA in both ERA and WHIP. In addition to her work in the circle, Zelenka has contributed offensively, batting .321 with eight doubles, two home runs, and 16 RBI as a pitcher/DP.
Kaci Kidd of Keiser has been named the 2026 Sun Conference Softball Freshman of the Year. Kidd played a key role in Keiser’s success this season, batting .350 with 56 hits, 41 runs scored, and 30 RBI, while adding 13 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. In conference play, she hit .346 with 27 hits and 25 runs scored, providing consistent production in the lineup. She also contributed 11 stolen bases and posted a .946 fielding percentage over 47 games. Among conference leaders, Kidd ranked fourth in hits, runs, and doubles, third in triples and extra-base hits, and 10th in RBI.
Madison Garcia of New College of Florida has been named the 2026 Sun Conference Softball Champion of Character. As stated by head coach Corbin Weeks, Garcia has balanced a rigorous academic schedule while serving as a student-ambassador with admissions and contributing as a team captain. She has also prepared for graduate school while competing for the Banyans. Weeks added, “Madison exemplifies what it means to be a Champion of Character on all fronts.”
John Pryor of Keiser has been named the 2026 Sun Conference Softball Coach of the Year. In his fourth year at the helm, Pryor led the Seahawks to a program-record 41 wins, finishing the regular season at 41-7 with just two losses outside of conference play. Under his leadership, Keiser had seven players earn First Team All-Conference recognition.
The 2026 Sun Conference Softball Tournament kicks off Thursday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. For more information on this year's championship, click here.
Specialty Awards
Award • Name • School
| Award |
Name |
School |
| Player of the Year |
Raylei McKinney |
Southeastern |
| Pitcher of the Year |
Maria Zelenka |
Southeastern |
| Freshman of the Year |
Kaci Kidd |
Keiser |
| Champion of Character |
Madison Garcai |
New College of Florida |
| Coach of the Year |
John Pryor |
Keiser |
First Team All-Conference
Position • Name • School
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
| C |
Allison Morales |
St. Thomas |
| C |
Nicole Wasserstrom |
Southeastern |
| IF |
Genesis Iglesias* |
Keiser |
| IF |
Kaci Kidd |
Keiser |
| IF |
Bailey LeGere |
St. Thomas |
| IF |
Sarah Phipps |
Keiser |
| IF |
Thalia Romero* |
Webber International |
| OF |
Rily Andrews |
Coastal Georgia |
| OF |
Ella Brooks* |
Southeastern |
| OF |
Faith Campos* |
Keiser |
| OF |
Kaitlyn Carolino* |
Coastal Georgia |
| OF |
Emma Edwards |
St. Thomas |
| OF |
Raylei McKinney* |
Southeastern |
| OF |
Macy Schaaf |
Keiser |
| DP |
Christina Ortiz |
St. Thomas |
| P |
Mackenzie Masternak* |
Keiser |
| P |
Maggie Miller |
Keiser |
| P |
Edan Playa* |
Southeastern |
| P |
Maria Zelenka* |
Southeastern |
| UTL |
Rylee Mills* |
Coastal Georgia |
Second team All-Conference
Position • Name • School
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
| OF |
Mya Achenbach* |
St. Thomas |
| IF |
Alahnis Berrios |
St. Thomas |
| P |
Emilia Clemons |
Coastal Georgia |
| IF |
Jade Fayad |
St. Thomas |
| IF |
Emma Jones |
Coastal Georgia |
| OF |
Karyna Lewis |
New College |
| IF |
Erica Ramsey |
Southeastern |
| IF |
Lauren Sekinger* |
Southeastern |
| IF |
Samantha Suarez |
New College |
| P |
Taylor Thomas* |
Webber International |
* - Repeat All-Conference honorees from last year
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